Coriander cultivation brings good profit to Shariatpur farmers

A CORRESPONDENT
SHARIATPUR, Mar 28: Shariatpur's farmers expect around the same amount in profit as their investment with coriander cultivation this year amid a high demand of the district's spice for the past few years.
Last season, 6,056 hectares have been brought under coriander cultivation, which has been increased to 6,320 hectares this year, sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said. Upon a visit, this correspondent saw farmers tending to white coriander flowers which covered the fields as sweet scent of the blossoms attract bees. Farmers say the condition of the crop has been quite well so far amid favourable weather. They request the government to reduce the cost of fertilisers and pesticides. Hare Ram Kulu, a farmer of Rudrakar in Shariatpur Sadar, said although he grows other crops, he has cultivated coriander on an additional 30 decimals of land this season. He expects Tk 300-400 for selling the coriander cultivated per decimal of land, where the cultivation cost is Tk 150.
Another farmer, Dhiren Majumdar, said, "There has been a huge demand for coriander in the market for a few years. That is why most of us farmers are cultivating coriander more than other Rabi crops." Sikdar Dam, a farmer of Nesar area, said if the government reduced the price of fertilisers and pesticides they would have been grateful. Md Rafiqul Islam, additional deputy director, DAE, said the soil of Shariatpur is suitable for coriander cultivation and more farmers have been turing to cultivating the crop gradually due to low cost of cultivation and good demand in the market. "We, the agricultural department, are extending our advice and all kinds of support to them."
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